CCSO Detective Matthew Hanlin’s surgery is complete and he is now in the recovery unit at Orange Park Medical Center. The surgery to his arm was successful and he is expected to recover. He remains in serious but stable condition. Sheriff Beseler and his staff remain at OPMC with the families through this terrible time.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of Det. David White. Tomorrow will be a day of quiet remembrance for our agency. An agency-wide moment of silence is planned for 9am (Friday) which will include radio silence for Patrol members and silence in administrative offices and work stations in our various buildings. Det. White is the first CCSO deputy to be killed in the line of duty by a suspect/criminal since 1913. For more information, please go to http://www.claysheriff.com/WallofHonor.asp to view our agency’s Wall of Honor. This should help answer your questions related to our agency’s history with line of duty deaths.

In regards to tonight’s incident, please note the following updates and clarifications:
• Detectives from the CCSO and the FDLE remain on scene at the home on Alligator Blvd. and will likely work throughout the night. The DEA has been notified and will arrive to assist with the clean up of the meth lab discovered inside the home.
• The five remaining suspects are in custody and are being questioned by the FDLE agents in charge of the investigation. At this time, it is not likely that they’ll be booked/charged with anything overnight that would prompt a morning court appearance. As soon as additional information is available on any pending charges, it will be provided and then the Clerk of Court will have information regarding court appearances. We are not able yet to release the names of any of the suspects, including the deceased suspect.
• It has been reported that the team of CCSO detectives were at the location serving a search warrant. That is not accurate. The group of detectives were following up on a tip that the home was a meth lab location operated by a group of “squatters” living there illegally. This did not require a search warrant.
• Regarding FDLE’s involvement, they are the lead agency in regards to the investigation of the officer-involved shooting. Their PIO, Grettle Plessenger, is their point of contact in the FDLE’s Tallahassee office.

Thank you for your patience this evening and for your condolences. You can expect another update/release at 8am unless events warrant one sooner.